Undocumented immigrant forbidden from becoming a lawyer

He applied for citizenship on November 18, 1994, using his father, who is now a citizen, as a sponsor. His application was approved on January 15, 1995, and he was told he would receive a green card as soon as one was available. He has now been living in the United States for 20 years. 

 

A federal law passed by Congress in 1996 forbids immigrants who are in the country illegally from receiving professional licenses. Garcia's lawyers argue that law licenses, which are granted by courts and not government agencies, were meant to be exempt from the federal law. 

 

However, a Department of Justice lawyer argued that law licenses should be included, as the funding for the courts comes from the public treasury. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Tenney added that "Congress meant to prohibit all professional licenses."

 

Garcia also started a petition, asking the president to "quit trying to kill my American dream and to quit opposing my licensing as an attorney." He encouraged supporters to tweet using #SergiosDream.